Salem-News.com is an Independent Online Newsgroup in the United States, setting the standard for the future of News.Publisher:Bonnie KingCONTACT:Newsroom@Salem-news.comAdvertising:Adsales@Salem-news.com~Truth~~Justice~~Peace~TJP

U.S. District Court Ruling Allows City of Oakland to Continue Fighting Feds

(OAKLAND) - This morning U.S. District Court Judge Maria-Elena James granted the City of Oakland’s motion to stay the civil forfeiture proceeding against Harborside Health Center Oakland until the City of Oakland’s pending appeal is heard in the Federal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge James also ruled that the stay in the commercial forfeiture proceeding should be extended to the Harborside San Jose location.

A trial date for the federal civil forfeiture action against both Harborside locations will not be set until after the Federal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals rules on Oakland’s motion of appeal concerning harm and public safety issues. Oakland’s attorneys estimated this may take 15 months.

In a statement released by Executive Director Steve DeAngelo:

“Judge James’ ruling allows the City of Oakland to continue its legal action to protect public health and safety from the misguided attacks of US Attorney Melinda Haag. Haag’s campaign to close state-legal dispensaries has already destroyed thousands of well-paying jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenue, while endangering patients and enriching street gangs and drug cartels. It is long past time for the Department of Justice to bring her under control, and halt this extraordinary waste of limited law enforcement resources.”